Mayor Nirenberg asks San Antonians to stay off roads, check on neighbors

by SBG San Antonio

San Antonio River Walk on Saturday, August 26, 2017 (Video: Sinclair Broadcast Group)

SAN ANTONIO - Mayor Ron Nirenberg asked San Antonians to stay off the roads and check on elderly neighbors as Harvey continued to dump rain on San Antonio and the surrounding area.

A statement released on Saturday morning stated:

Hurricane Harvey reached the Texas coast overnight and stalled over the coastal bend. The storm is expected to drop several inches of rain in San Antonio. Mayor Ron Nirenberg is calling on residents to remain safe throughout the weekend by avoiding roads during heavy rainfall, checking in on elderly neighbors and taking measures to ensure that essentials like bottled water, batteries and food have been purchased.

“While we’re hoping for the best, San Antonio residents should take every precaution to remain safe this weekend as we anticipate heavy rainfall and possible flooding,” Mayor Nirenberg said. “I have been proud to watch the immense level of coordination among multiple agencies and community partners as they’ve worked tirelessly to provide up-to-date information to our residents and resources and support to the more than 1,000 evacuees coming from the coastal bend.”

Mayor Nirenberg toured one of the shelters Friday with Gov. Greg Abbott, Councilman Rey Saldaña, Rep. Tomas Uresti and Rep. Diana Arevalo, providing assurance to displaced residents and thanking local volunteers. He also called Corpus Christi Mayor Joe McComb to offer any additional support and let him know his residents were receiving aid and shelter. New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu reached out to offer his support and assistance, almost one week from the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

“San Antonio is a compassionate city that is fortunate to have the resources to protect our residents and help neighbors in need,” Mayor Nirenberg said. “No one will be turned away from our city as they seek shelter from this storm. And we will be there when they begin rebuilding their lives.